Device and Method for Filling and/or Processing Packagings in a Space Closed by Side Walls

ABSTRACT

Described and illustrated is a device for filling and/or processing packagings, in particular composite cardboard packagings, and/or for processing packages, preferably comprising composite cardboard packagings, with a space delimited at least partially by side walls, in particular for receiving a sterile or aseptic atmosphere, with at least one cell carrier for receiving at least one packaging and/or package and with at least one transport device for transporting the packagings and/or packages at least partially and at least in sections through the space. In order to easily and reliably achieve a sterile or aseptic atmosphere in the limited space, it is provided that at least one side wall with a lower edge is immersed in a liquid bath and that the at least one cell carrier is guided beneath the side wall through the liquid bath outwards to the transport device arranged on the side of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath facing away from the space.

The invention relates to a device for filling and/or processingpackagings, in particular composite cardboard packagings, and/or forprocessing packages, preferably comprising composite cardboardpackagings, with a space delimited at least partially by side walls, inparticular for receiving a sterile or aseptic atmosphere, with at leastone cell carrier for receiving at least one packaging and/or package andwith at least one transport device for transporting the packagingsand/or packages at least partially and at least in sections through thespace. The invention also relates to a method for filling and/orprocessing packagings, in particular composite cardboard packagings,and/or for processing packages, preferably comprising compositecardboard packagings.

Devices and methods for filling packagings with products, especially inthe form of foodstuffs, and/or for processing the packagings to befilled or the filled packages are known in various embodiments. In thisregard, the filling of the packagings with, preferably free-flowing,foodstuffs and the processing of the packagings takes place, forexample, in a sterile or aseptic environment of a filling machine. Giventhat the foodstuff should remain preserved for a long time after thefilling of the packagings, the most germ-free possible filling isdesired. To this end, the filling machines comprise, for examplesterilisation spaces or aseptic chambers, in which the packagings aresterilised and subsequently filled and closed under the most sterileconditions possible.

In this connection, packagings which are open at a top side to providean opening for filling are used. The packagings are, for example,cardboard composite packagings which are formed from a laminatecomprising a cardboard layer and outer, in particular thermoplastic,plastic layers, such as polyethylene (PE). The cardboard gives thepackagings sufficient stability so that the packages, which consist ofthe packaging and the product filled in it, can be easily handled andstacked, for example. The plastic layers protect the cardboard frommoisture and the foodstuff from absorbing undesirable substances fromthe packaging. In addition, further layers can be provided, such as analuminium layer, which prevent a diffusion of oxygen and other gasesthrough the packaging.

The packagings can be manufactured, preferably in the filling machine,from a package precursor. Package material blanks can, for example, beused as a packaging precursor, which can be pre-assembled if required,for example by sealing longitudinal edges to form a packaging blank.Corresponding packaging blanks are typically mounted on mandrels of aso-called mandrel wheel, wherein a region of the packaging blanksprojecting from the mandrels is folded against the end face of themandrel and sealed there to form a packaging base or packaging head.Alternatively, the packaging material used for the packaging precursorcan be unwound in a virtually infinite manner from a roll. Packagematerial blanks are folded at bending lines to first form a packagingsleeve and a packaging base. By sealing overlapping sections of thepackage material, the packaging sleeve and the package base are closed.The head of the packaging initially remains open. If required, thepackaging head can also initially be closed and the packaging can befilled through the open base, preferably directed upwards. Whether ornot the closed package is subsequently turned for storage, transportand/or sale, i.e. where the top and bottom of the finished package are,can then basically be left undetermined.

The packagings are then fed into a sterilisation zone of the fillingmachine. This is usually carried out by the successive transfer of thepackagings to the cell carriers receiving the packagings in a transportdevice. The transport device then transports the packagings with adefined speed and at a defined distance to each other through thesterilisation zone of the filling machine.

The packagings are preheated in the sterilisation zone, if required. Thepackagings are blown with hot sterile air for this purpose. The innersurfaces of the packagings and at least the head region of the outersurface of the packagings are then exposed to a sterilising agent suchas hydrogen peroxide and sterilised in the process. The sterilisedpackagings are then dried with sterile air. The sterilised packages aretransferred to the filling and sealing zone and are preferably filledwith a foodstuff there. In this regard, the foodstuff is in particularfree-flowing. In a plurality of cases, the foodstuff is a beverage.Afterwards the filled packaging is still sealed, forming the package assuch. The closed package is then transported out of the filling andsealing zone by the transport device and then removed from thecorresponding cells of the cell carriers of the transport device.

In some filling machines the packagings are transported from thetransport device in a straight line through the filling machine.Corresponding filling machines are also known as inline fillingmachines. In other filling machines, the so-called rotary systems, thepackagings describe a more or less arc-shaped movement, which maycomprise one or more sections of an arc.

A so-called aseptic zone is formed in the filling and sealing zone. Theaseptic zone designates the actual aseptic or sterile region in theupper section of the filling and sealing zone. The aseptic chambercomprises the sterilisation zone and the filling and sealing zone. Theaseptic chamber can be formed in the manner of a housing, whereinopenings are provided for supplying and discharging packagings. Inaddition, the aseptic chamber can comprise at least one opening at thelower end in order to remove the atmosphere from the sterilisation zoneand/or the filling and sealing zone. The space below the aseptic chamberis not aseptic and can barely be kept aseptic with reasonable effort, asthe drive for the transport device is provided in the space below theaseptic chamber. Typically, the transport device is a chain of cells,whose cells receive the individual packagings and whose cells areconnected to each other by a chain that circulates endlessly beneath theaseptic chamber. In this connection, the cells are sterile at themaximum. However, the actual chain is typically not sterile due to thedrive.

It must therefore be ensured that the aseptic zone of the asepticchamber cannot be contaminated via the transport device. This isroutinely attempted, for example, by providing a laminar or essentiallylaminar flow of sterile air from top to bottom in the aseptic zone sothat no contaminants are introduced into the aseptic zone. The reliableprovision of such a flow with as little turbulence as possible involvesa great deal of effort. In contrast, such large quantities of sterilantare regularly introduced into the sterilisation zone that contaminationfrom below is prevented. Although this is relatively easy to achieve, itresults in increased consumption of sterilant, which can attack plantcomponents.

In addition to filling and processing packagings, it may also bedesirable to process already filled packages, preferably comprisingcomposite cardboard packagings, in a sterile environment. This may bethe case, for example, if pouring elements, dispositions for opening orthe like are to be provided on the package after the packaging has beenfilled.

To be able to provide a sterile and/or aseptic environment for fillingor processing, the sterile or aseptic space is typically delimited byside walls. Walls may also be provided in the direction of transport todelimit the sterile or aseptic room. These can be seen, for example, asfront and back walls. However, in order for the packagings or packagesto be transported into and out of the sterile or aseptic space, thesewalls typically have recesses that correspond to the contours of thepackagings or packages when viewed in the direction of transport. Whilethe packagings or packages are at the level of such a wall, the sterileor aseptic space is therefore also at least substantially closed aroundthe packagings or packages parallel to the direction of transport.

The object of the present invention is therefore to design and furtherdevelop the device and the method of the aforementioned and previouslyexplained type in such a way that a sterile or aseptic atmosphere can beeasily and reliably achieved in the delimited space.

In a device according to the preamble of claim 1, this object is solvedin that at least one side wall with a lower edge is immersed in a liquidbath and that the at least one cell carrier is guided beneath the sidewall through the liquid bath outwards to the transport device arrangedon the side of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath facing awayfrom the space.

In addition, the said object according to claim 10 is solved by a methodfor filling and/or processing packagings, in particular compositecardboard packagings, and/or for processing packages, preferablycomprising composite cardboard packagings, preferably using a deviceaccording to any one of claims 1 to 9,

-   -   in which at least one cell carrier receiving at least one        packaging and/or package is transported via at least one        transport device at least partially through a space, in        particular one having a sterile or aseptic atmosphere, at least        partially delimited by side walls,    -   in which the at least one cell carrier is immersed in sections        in a liquid bath via the at least one transport device,    -   in which the immersed section of the one cell carrier is        arranged between two sections of the cell carrier arranged        outside the liquid bath and is transported away via at least one        transport device beneath an edge of the side wall also immersed        in the liquid bath, and    -   in which the immersed section of the one cell carrier is moved        out of the liquid bath after passing the edge of the side wall        immersed in the liquid bath.

The invention recognized that the drive of the transport devicecomprising the cells transporting the packagings or packages can bemoved outwards if this is done in such a way that the side wallcontinues to delimit the sterile or aseptic space to the outside. Thisdoes not necessarily mean that at least one side wall laterally delimitsthe entire space through which the packagings or packages aretransported. Furthermore, this space does not have to be completelysterile or aseptic or even closed. It is sufficient if an area with asterile or aseptic atmosphere is provided in this space. This area canthen be understood as the sterile or aseptic space, which isincorporated into a larger physical space and delimited by at least oneside wall. The side wall then prevents the sterile or aseptic space frombeing contaminated, for example by air entering via the drive of thetransport device or from outside.

For this purpose, at least one cell must be arranged on at least onecell carrier which has a connection between two sections extending oneither side of the at least one side wall. For example, a sectionlocated laterally outside the sterile or aseptic space and laterallyadjacent to the at least one side wall delimiting this space may beconnected to a guide, support and/or drive for the cell carrier. Anothersection provided on the other side of the at least one side wall maysupport the at least one cell, which is used to transport the packagingsor packages at least in sections through the sterile or aseptic space orarea. To ensure that no bacteria, germs or the like can enter thesterile or aseptic space via the corresponding side wall, the side wallis immersed with a lower edge in a liquid bath and the cell carrier isguided through the liquid bath with the previously described connectionarea beneath the edge of the side wall. The remaining gap between theedge of the side wall and the bottom of the liquid bath is closed by theliquid present in the liquid bath. This prevents air contaminated withbacteria, germs or the like from entering the sterile or aseptic spacefrom the side.

If it is sufficient to connect, guide and/or support the cell carrier toa drive on one side, it may be sufficient to form a side wall asdescribed above and to guide the cell carrier through the liquid bath asdescribed above. However, in order to ensure reliable operation of thedevice and in particular to prevent jamming of the cell carriers in thesterile or aseptic space, it may be expedient for the two opposite sidewalls of the sterile or aseptic space each to be immersed with theirlower edges in a liquid bath through which the cell carrier is guidedoutwards through the liquid baths with a connecting area on oppositesides of the space.

Consequently, according to the method at least one packaging and/orpackage is received in at least one cell of at least one cell carrier.The at least one packaging or package is then at least partiallytransported in sections via the cell carrier with a transport devicethrough a space with a sterile or aseptic atmosphere. This space is atleast partly delimited by side walls. In this process, the at least onecell carrier is immersed along the transport device in a first area ofthe liquid bath at least in sections in the liquid of the liquid bath.The section of the at least one cell carrier immersed in the liquid islocated between two sections of the cell carrier located outside theliquid bath and connects these two sections in the sense of a connectingsection. The section of the at least one cell carrier immersed in theliquid is moved via the at least one transport device under the edge ofthe side wall delimiting the sterile or aseptic space immersed in theliquid of the liquid bath and transported under the edge through theliquid of the liquid bath. After the section of the cell carrierimmersed in the liquid bath has passed the edge of the side wallimmersed in the liquid bath, the corresponding section of the cellcarrier is moved out of the liquid bath again.

It is preferable but not necessary for the edge of the side wallimmersed in the liquid of the liquid bath to extend in a straight linethrough the liquid of the liquid bath. The cell carrier can then betransported linearly in the area of the sterile or aseptic space. Theside wall and the liquid bath can also be configured to be straight.

For the sake of clarity and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the deviceand the method are described together below, without distinguishing indetail between the device and the method. However, for the personskilled in the art, the context determines which features are preferredfor the device and the process.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the device, the liquidbath has a front and a rear end as seen in the direction of transport.This means that the cell carrier must be immersed in the liquid of theliquid bath at one end and removed from the liquid of the liquid bath atthe other end. At the same time, however, this allows an at leastessentially linear transport movement of the cell carriers in the areaof the sterile or aseptic atmosphere or during filling and/or processingof the packagings or packages, i.e. for example after immersion of thecell carrier in the liquid and before removal of the cell carrier fromthe liquid. This not only simplifies the device, but also the method forfilling and/or processing the packaging or package. A simplification ofthe device is also achieved if the liquid bath between the front end andthe rear end of the liquid bath extends at least substantially in astraight line and/or parallel to the direction of transport of the cellcarrier.

A simplification of the device and the method can be achievedalternatively or additionally by configuring the transport device atleast partly as linear drive or belt drive. On the one hand, this issimple and offers high flexibility with regard to the speed profileduring the transport of the cell carriers. If necessary, several cellcarriers connected to each other via the transport device may beprovided for transporting the packagings and/or packages at leastpartially and at least in sections through the space. Especially wherethe cell carriers are connected to each other exclusively via thetransport device, i.e. are otherwise unconnected, individual cellcarriers can be transported independently of the other cell carriers.Consequently, the individual cell carriers can be transported with aspeed profile and/or directional profile that can be selected at leastsubstantially independently of the speed profile and/or directionalprofile of other cell carriers.

In order to be able to transport the cell carriers easily under the edgeof the side wall immersed in the liquid of the liquid bath, it isadvisable for the cell carriers to have a U-shaped section which is atleast partially immersed in the liquid of the liquid bath and movedunder the immersed edge of the side wall.

Independently thereof, the transport device may be configured forpartial immersion of the cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped sectionof the cell carrier, in the liquid of the liquid bath in front of theedge of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath, in particular infront of the immersed edge of the side wall as seen in the direction oftransport of the cell carrier. In this way a reliable process controlcan be achieved. Alternatively or additionally, the transport device canalso be configured for partially lifting the cell carrier, in particulara U-shaped section of the cell carrier, out of the liquid bath behindthe immersed section of the side wall, namely, viewed in the directionof transport of the cell carrier, behind the edge of the side wallimmersed in the liquid bath.

To facilitate the immersion and lifting of parts of the cell carrier,the transport device can be designed to lift and/or lower the cellcarrier in a, not necessarily exclusively, vertical direction. Thelifting and/or lowering in particular involves a U-shaped section of thecell carrier. This means that transport along the device can be easilycombined with lifting and/or lowering without the need for additionalseparate devices in addition to the actual transport device.

The lowering and/or lifting of the cell carriers can be accomplishedparticularly easily if not the entire cell carrier is lifted and loweredin each case. This requires space and is also expensive in terms ofequipment or involves high forces. For this purpose, the transportdevice can be designed for pivoting in and/or pivoting out the cellcarrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, forimmersing in and/or lifting out the cell carrier, in particular aU-shaped section of the cell carrier. The pivoting in and/or pivotingout of the cell carrier is preferably carried out with a verticalcomponent so that the cell carrier can be immersed in the liquid bathfrom above and moved upwards out of the liquid bath. Raising and/orlowering of the cell carrier therefore becomes at least partiallyunnecessary if the part of the cell carrier that is to be immersed inthe liquid or the entire cell carrier as such is pivoted for immersioninto and/or lifting out of the liquid.

If the transport device has a guide and/or a link, preferably arrangedoutside the sterile or aseptic space, it may be configured in such a waythat it causes the vertical adjustment and/or pivoting of the cellcarrier, in particular of a U-shaped section of the cell carrier. Thissimplifies the mechanistic complexity and also reliably ensures that nooperational disturbances occur. This applies in particular if the guideand/or a link in interaction with the actual transport device causes thevertical adjustment and/or pivoting of at least part of the cellcarrier. It is mechanically simple and reliable when the at least onecell carrier is set spring-loaded against the link and is designed toslide and/or roll against the link. For this purpose, for example, thelink and/or the cell carrier may have rollers to reduce friction.

For a harmonious transport of the cell carriers, without particular loadpeaks and for a simpler design of the transport device, it may be usefulif the transport device is designed for transporting the at least onecell carrier for immersion of the cell carrier, in particular a U-shapedsection of the cell carrier, into the liquid bath and/or for lifting thecell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, outof the liquid bath along a clothoid. This is a specially designed curve,especially a plane curve, whose curvature at each point of the curve isproportional to the length of its arc up to that point. The change inradius along the clothoid is therefore constant, which is conducive to ahigh transport speed.

The advantages according to the invention can be used particularlyeffectively if the sterile or aseptic space is an aseptic chamber, afilling and sealing space, a sterilisation space, an aseptic spaceand/or a sterile space. Consequently, the entire physical space may besterile or aseptic, whereas in the state of the art the physical spacecould only be kept sterile or aseptic partially or in sections.Similarly, the advantages according to the invention are particularlypreferably to be profitably applied in a device in the sense of afilling machine for filling and, preferably, for closing the packagings,in particular cardboard composite packagings. Regardless of this, it isparticularly easy if the liquid bath is a water bath, i.e. the liquid ofthe water bath is water. If required, the water can be mixed withadditives or admixtures, for example to avoid, especially biological,contamination. In principle, however, liquids other than water can alsobe used.

In a first particularly preferable embodiment of the method, the atleast one cell carrier is transported by at least one transport deviceprovided outside the space. If necessary, two transport devices can beprovided on both sides of the space or the transport device is dividedand placed partially on one side of the space. In this way a reliableseparation of the sterile or aseptic space from the non-sterile oraseptic drive of the cell carriers is shielded.

Alternatively or additionally, the section of the at least one cellcarrier immersed in the liquid bath may be immersed at a front end ofthe liquid bath as seen in the direction of transport and moved out at arear end of the liquid bath. This allows easy movement of the cellcarrier, which can accelerate the process and increase the reliabilityof the method. The same can be achieved alternatively or additionally ifthe section of the at least one cell carrier immersed in the liquid bathis moved through the liquid bath at least substantially in a straightline and/or parallel to the direction of transport of the cell carrier.

In order to achieve a simple and reliable transport movement of the cellcarrier, which, if required, can also be quite flexible with regard tothe speed profile of the cell carriers and/or independent of the speedprofiles of other cell carriers, the at least one cell carrier can beimmersed in the liquid bath, moved through the liquid bath and/or movedout of the liquid bath at least in sections via a linear drive or beltdrive of the transport device.

The successive cell carriers can be transported differently andindependently of one another particularly easily if several cellcarriers connected to one another, in particular exclusively, via thetransport device are moved separately from one another by the transportdevice at least along the liquid bath.

In order to simplify and/or overall accelerate the transport movement,the at least one cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of thecell carrier, can, as seen in the direction of transport of the cellcarrier, be immersed in the liquid bath in front of the edge of the sidewall immersed in the liquid bath, in particular vertically, lowered intothe liquid bath and/or pivoted into the liquid bath.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one cell carrier, inparticular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, can also analogouslybe moved out of the liquid bath, in particular vertically, lifted out ofthe liquid bath and/or pivoted out of the liquid bath behind the edge ofthe side wall immersed in the liquid bath, as seen in the direction oftransport of the cell carrier. The preferred movement depends, forexample, on the type of packaging and/or package, the type of intendedprocessing and the space available.

In a simple and concomitantly reliable manner, the at least one cellcarrier can be guided for immersion in sections in the liquid bath, formovement in sections beneath the edge of the side wall immersed in theliquid bath and/or for movement in sections out of the liquid bath on aguide and/or link of the transport device, which then determines therespective preferred movement of the cell carrier in a defined manner.In this connection, the cell carriers can preferably slide by means ofrollers on the link or guide to avoid unnecessary friction. In order notto increase the mass of the cell carrier unnecessarily for this purpose,it may be appropriate if the rollers are assigned to the link or theguide and not to the cell carrier. However, this is not mandatory.

In order to ensure the contact of the at least one cell carrier with thelink or guide and thus to be able to reliably provide the desiredsliding and/or rolling on the link or guide, the at least one cellcarrier can be spring-loaded and can be set against the link or guide bymeans of the corresponding restoring force, at least while the at leastone cell carrier is partially immersed in the liquid of the liquid bathand/or is removed from the liquid of the liquid bath.

A particularly uniform and thus material-protecting movement can beachieved at high speed if the at least one cell carrier is moved atleast in sections along a clothoid by the transport device for immersioninto the liquid bath and/or for moving out of the liquid bath.

The invention is explained in greater detail below by means of a drawingmerely depicting exemplary embodiments. The following are shown in thedrawings:

FIG. 1 a first device according to the invention in a schematic sideview,

FIG. 2 a packaging for processing and filling in the device from FIG. 1in a perspective view,

FIG. 3 a detail of the device from FIG. 1 in a side view,

FIG. 4 the detail from FIG. 3 in a schematic sectional view along thesectional plane IV-IV from FIG. 3

FIG. 5 the detail from FIG. 3 in a schematic sectional view along thesectional plane V-V from FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 the detail from FIG. 3 in a schematic sectional view along thesectional plane VI-VI from FIG. 5

FIG. 7 a detail of a second device according to the invention in a sideview,

FIG. 8 a part of the detail from FIG. 7 in a schematic sectional viewalong the sectional plane VIII-VIII from FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 a detail of a third device according to the invention in a sideview and

FIG. 10 the detail from FIG. 9 in a schematic sectional view along thesectional plane X-X from FIG. 9.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for processing and filling packagings 2 in theform of cardboard composite packagings, in particular with free-flowingfoodstuffs, thus a so-called filling machine, comprising a mouldingdevice 3 for forming packages 2. The depicted and to that extentpreferred device 1 has a number of parallel processing lines, inparticular four or six processing lines, of which only one processingline is shown in FIG. 1. Each processing line is assigned a bundle 4 ofpackaging blanks 5 in the form of package material blanks, thelongitudinal edges of which are sealed together to form packagingsleeves 6, which are kept folded. The packaging blanks 5 are unfolded bya feeding device 7 in the form of packaging sleeves 6, wherein, ifnecessary, an application device can also be provided for applyingpouring elements not shown to the packaging sleeves 6.

Moulding device 3 for forming the package 2 has a mandrel wheel 8, whichin the depicted and to that extent preferred case comprises six mandrels9 and rotates counter-clockwise cyclically, i.e. step by step. In thefirst mandrel wheel position I, a packaging blank 5 in the form of apackaging sleeve 6 is pushed onto the mandrel 9. The mandrel wheel 8 isthen turned further in the next mandrel wheel position II, in which theend area 10 of the packaging sleeve 6, which protrudes in relation tothe mandrel 9, is heated with hot air via a heating unit 11. In the nextmandrel wheel position III, the heated end area 10 of the packagingsleeve 6 is pre-folded by a press 12 and it is tightly sealed in thefolded position, in particular to a base, in the following mandrel wheelposition IV by an unspecified sealing device. In this way a packagingclosed on one side is obtained, which is removed from the mandrel 9 inthe subsequent mandrel wheel position V and transferred to a cell 13 ofan endless transport device 14 guided in a circle in the depicted and tothat extent preferred device 1. No work step is assigned to mandrel 9 inthe next mandrel wheel position VI. The number of mandrel wheelpositions or mandrels and the processing steps provided there can, ifrequired, deviate from the depiction according to FIG. 1 and theassociated description.

The packagings 2 are transported with the open end pointing upwards inthe respective cells 13 through an aseptic chamber 15 which is closedlaterally and downwards in the depicted and to that extent preferreddevice 1, and which comprises a sterilisation zone 16 and a filling andsealing zone 17, through which the packagings are transported from leftto right in the direction of transport symbolised by the arrows. Thetransport of the packagings 2 does not have to be carried out in astraight line, but can also be carried out in at least one arc or evenin a circle.

Sterile air is supplied to the aseptic chamber 15 via appropriatesterile air connections 20. Packagings 2 are successively preheated by apreheating device 21 by being blown with hot sterile air. Packagings 2are then sterilised by means of a sterilising device 22, preferably withhydrogen peroxide, whereupon the packagings 2 are dried by being exposedto sterile air via a drying device 23 and, after passing fromsterilisation zone 16 to filling and sealing zone 17, are moved to afilling position 24 below a filling outlet 25. Packagings 2 aresuccessively filled with foodstuff 26 there. The filled packagings 2 arethen closed with a closing device 27 by folding the upper area ofpackaging 2 and sealing it to form a package. The closed packagings 2are then removed from the cells 13 of the transport device 14. The nowempty cells 13 are moved further in the direction of the mandrel wheel 8by the transport device 14 in order to pick up further packagings 2there.

FIG. 2 depicts a packaging blank 5 or a packaging sleeve 6 as it isheated in the previously described device 1 and then closed on one side.The packagings 2 are in particular cardboard composite packagings madeof a corresponding package material 30 in the form of a laminate orpackage material laminate, with at least one cardboard layer, ifnecessary at least one barrier layer, for example consisting ofaluminium, polyamide and/or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol, and outer layersof a thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene (PE). The longitudinaledges 31 of the package material blank formed from the package material30 have already been sealed together. This means that the longitudinaledges of the package material blank have been overlapped on top of eachother and sealed together in this position. At the two open ends 32, 33of the packaging sleeve 6, a bottom forming area 34 is provided to formthe bottom and a gable forming area 35 to form the gable of the package.For this purpose, the corresponding areas are folded together at thefolding lines 36 provided for this purpose.

FIG. 3 shows a detail of the device 1 from FIG. 1 in the area of thefront end of the aseptic chamber 15 in a side view. The depicted and tothat extent preferred aseptic chamber 15 is delimited downwards by aclosed bottom 40 and on both sides, at least in sections, in each caseby a side wall 41. These side walls 41 are each immersed with a loweredge 42 in a liquid bath 43. Beneath the liquid baths 43, further sidewalls or side wall sections 44, which connect the liquid bath 43 withthe bottom 40 of the aseptic chamber 15, adjoin in the depicted and tothat extent preferred device 1 shown here. However, these side walls orside wall sections 44 are not mandatory and can therefore be dispensedwith if required. The packagings 2 are supported by cell 13 supportingcell carriers 45, the outer edges of which are positioned outside theside walls 41 delimiting the aseptic chamber 15. The cell carriers 45must therefore be lowered section by section into the liquid bath 43 infront of the respective side wall 41 and moved through the liquid bath43 under the edges 42 immersed in the liquid bath 43. For this purpose,the cell carriers 45 are driven or moved individually and separatelyfrom each other as well as successively by two parts of a drive 46arranged on opposite sides of the aseptic chamber 15 or, if required, bytwo drives 46 of the transport device 14 arranged on opposite sides ofthe aseptic chamber 15.

FIG. 4 shows the detail of FIG. 3 in a sectional view along a plane infront of the aseptic chamber 15, in any case in front of the edges 42 ofthe side walls 41 delimiting the aseptic chamber 15, immersed in theliquid baths 43. The cell carrier 45 shown here has four cells 13 nextto each other, each containing a packaging 2. The cell carrier 45 isguided and supported at its two outer edges by a drive 46 of thetransport device 14. In addition, the cell carriers 45 are moved in thedirection of transport 14 by the drive 46, which in this case ispreferably configured as an electromagnetic linear drive. Theelectromagnetic linear drive can be configured in particular as a directdrive, which can generate the linear movement purely electrically and ina non-wearing manner without the interposition of mechanical gears,spindles or belts. Naturally, the cell carriers 45 can also betransported along curves. The term linear is to be understood incontrast to rotation. The liquid bath 43 with a liquid 48 is providedbeneath the cell carrier 45 on both sides of the aseptic chamber 15.FIG. 4 does not show the front wall 47 of the liquid bath 43, whichprevents the liquid 48 from running out. At the end of the liquid bath43 there is a back wall, also not depicted, which also prevents theliquid 48 from running out.

The cell carrier 45 and the transport device 14 are preferably in anelectromotive operative connection with each other. In particular, thecell carriers 45 are driven electromagnetically. In this respect, cellcarrier 45 and transport device 14 can form a linear drive. Theadvantage of the linear drive, for example, is that each individual cellcarrier 45 can be individually controlled. For this purpose, eachindividual cell carrier 45 preferably has an electromagneticallyreadable identifier. The transport device 14 also has reading means toread the position of each cell carrier 45 and the identifier of the cellcarrier 45. This allows individual control of each cell carrier 45. Inaddition, the transport device 14 can have a transport rail, whichdetermines the direction of transport or the transport path. In thisrespect, the cell carriers 45 are movably arranged along the transportrail. The transport rail or transport device 14 on the one hand and thecell carriers 45 on the other hand together form an electromagneticdrive, especially in the form of a linear motor.

The cell carriers 45 can be moved at least in sections in a clockedmanner. In one cycle, a cell carrier 45 is moved during a feed time andstopped motionless at a position in the specified direction of movementfor a dwell time. The ratio between dwell time and feed time can bevaried, especially for each cycle separately. This is particularlyinteresting for the reason that the dwell time should be as long aspossible, especially when filling liquid products into packaging 2, inorder to prevent the filling quantity, the filling quality and/or foamformation as well as possible sloshing. The feed time should preferablybe designed to reduce sloshing. This can be realized in particular viaan acceleration profile during the feed.

In FIG. 5 the detail of FIG. 3 is shown in a section along the sectionalplane V-V of FIG. 3, which is located further back in the direction oftransport of the cell carriers 45 than the sectional plane according toFIG. 4. In this connection, the cell carrier 45 is lowered along thedrive or guide with lateral U-shaped sections 49 into the liquid 48 ofthe liquid baths 43. The lower end of the U-shaped sections 49 islocated beneath the edges 42 of the side walls 41 immersed in the liquid48 of the liquid baths 43. Consequently, the cell carrier 45 is guidedin the corresponding position from the aseptic chamber 15 on both sidesin each case through the liquid bath 43 and under the lower edge 42 ofthe corresponding side wall 41, which is immersed in the liquid 44 ofthe liquid bath 43, outside to the drive 46 of the transport device 14provided there.

The drive 46 of the transport device 14 moves the cell carriers 45 alongthe aseptic chamber 15. Beneath the liquid baths 43, in the depicted andto that extent preferred device 1, further side walls or side wallsections 44 adjoin, which connect the liquid bath 43 with the bottom 40of the aseptic chamber 15. However, these side walls or side wallsections 44 are not mandatory and can therefore be dispensed with ifrequired, for example if the liquid baths 43 are directly connected tothe bottom 40 of the aseptic chamber 15. Despite the fact that the cellcarrier 45 is led out of the aseptic chamber 15 on both sides, no aircan enter the side of the aseptic chamber 15 from the outside, whichcould contaminate the sterile or aseptic area there.

The aseptic chamber 15 is preferably under a slight overpressure, sothat the sterile or aseptic atmosphere is constantly forced out of thelongitudinal ends of the aseptic chamber 15, as the front and back ofthe aseptic chamber 15. This constant flow from the aseptic chamber 15to the outside ultimately ensures that no contaminated air can enter theaseptic chamber 15, even via the front side and the back side, whichcould contaminate the aseptic chamber 15 with germs, bacteria or thelike.

In FIG. 6, the detail of device 1 according to FIG. 3 is shown in asectional view along a line passing through the front liquid bath 43 inthe viewing direction and partly through the associated side wall 41, asillustrated by the sectional plane VI-VI of FIG. 5. The non-lineartransport path of the cell carriers 45 is represented by the arrow andis brought about by the transport device 14 for the cell carriers 45.First, the cell carriers 45 are raised above a curved path, namely to alevel above the liquid bath 43, especially above the front wall 47 ofthe liquid bath. The curved transport path continues downwards behindthe front wall 47 of the liquid bath 43, whereby the cell carriers 45with the U-shaped sections 49 are immersed in the liquid 48 of theliquid bath 43. In this respect, the lower end of the U-shaped section49 of the cell carrier 45 passes under the edge 42 of the side wall 41,which is also immersed in the liquid 48 of the liquid bath 43. In thisorientation of the cell carriers 45, the packagings 2 carried by thedepicted and to that extent preferred cell carriers 45 point with theiropen ends at least substantially vertically upwards.

In addition, the cell carriers 45 are moved at least substantiallylinearly along the side wall 41 in this orientation in the depicted andto that extent preferred device 1. In this connection, the lower ends ofthe U-shaped sections 49 of the cell carriers 45 are guided under theedges 42 of the side walls 41 immersed in the liquid 48 of the liquidbaths 43. When the cell carriers 45, especially their U-shaped sections49, have passed the end of the edges 42 of the side walls 41 immersed inthe liquid 48, the cell carriers 45, especially their U-shaped sections49, are moved out of the liquid 48 of the liquid bath 43 again.

The transport path of the cell carrier 45 can be designed analogously tothe transport path shown in FIG. 6, but the cell carrier 45 is movedalong the transport path in the opposite direction. Consequently, thecell carriers 45 are lifted in a curved movement above the liquid baths43, in particular the back wall of the liquid baths 43, and loweredagain behind the back walls of the liquid baths 43 in continuation ofthe curved movement. If necessary, the cell carriers 45 can be moved atleast in sections along a clothoid both for immersion in the liquid bath43 and for removal from the liquid bath 43.

FIG. 7 shows a detail of an alternative device 50. The difference to thedevice 1 described above consists in particular in a different transportdevice 51 and guide 52 for transporting and guiding the cell carriers53. The cell carriers 53 are guided on both sides via holding elements54 on a guide 52 in the form of rails 55 in the direction of transport51 of the cell carriers 53 along the aseptic chamber 15. The drive ofthe holding elements 54 of the cell carriers 53 is not shown in detailfor the sake of clarity. In principle, different types of drives such asa linear drive, a belt drive, a transport chain or the like arepossible.

In addition to this, there is also a link 56, which in this case isformed by two essentially parallel rails 57, 58. A roller 59 of the cellcarrier 53 rolls on link 56, especially between the two rails 57, 58.The shape of the link 56 ensures that the cell carriers 53 are firstpivoted to prevent collision with the liquid bath 43, especially withthe front wall 47 of the liquid bath 43. The pivot axis 60 of thedepicted and to that extent preferred device 50 is at leastsubstantially perpendicular to the direction of transport and at leastsubstantially horizontal. The cell carriers 53 are then pivotedbackwards again, in particular back to an initial position, to cause theU-shaped sections 61 of the cell carriers 53 to be immersed in theliquid 48 of the liquid baths 43. This pivot axis 60 can also be alignedas described above. The guide 52 and the link 56 are shown in FIG. 8 ina sectional view transverse to the direction of transport. In order toenable the cell carrier 53 to be pivoted about the pivot axis 60, thedepicted and to that extent preferred holding element 54 is connected tothe adjoining part of the cell carrier 53 so that it can pivot orrotate.

Alternatively, the cell carriers 53 could also be spring-loaded and thusbe set against the link 56. This could be achieved, for example, by aspring means whose restoring force pretensions the cell carrier 53around its pivot axis 60 into an upright or vertical orientation. Thelink 56 can then pivot the cell carrier 53 back and forth from thisorientation against the restoring force of the spring means, wherein therollers 59 of the cell carriers 53 always rest against the link 56.Then, for example, a second, especially lower, rail 58 of the link 56would be dispensable.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a detail of another device 70, in which thetransport device 71 comprises a belt drive 72. The cell carriers 73 arepresent at constant, predefined distances on belt drive 72. Other drivescould also be considered in this context. The belt 74 is guidedendlessly over deflection rollers 75 at both ends of the aseptic chamber15. In order to be able to immerse the cell carriers 73 in the liquid 48of the liquid bath 43 or to remove the cell carriers 73 from the liquidbath 43, a further guide roller 76 is assigned to each deflection roller75, which is arranged between the deflection roller 75 and the asepticchamber 15. In this way a transport path for the cell carriers 73 isprovided, which is similar to the transport path shown in FIG. 6.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   1 Device-   2 Packaging-   3 Moulding device-   4 Bundle-   5 Packaging blank-   6 Packaging sleeve-   7 Feeding device-   8 Mandrel wheel-   9 Mandrel-   10 End area-   11 Heating unit-   12 Press-   13 Cell-   14 Transport device-   15 Aseptic chamber-   16 Sterilisation zone-   17 Filling and sealing zone-   20 Sterile air connections-   21 Preheating device-   22 Sterilising device-   23 Drying device-   24 Filling position-   25 Filling outlet-   26 Foodstuff-   27 Closing device-   30 Package material-   31 Longitudinal edges-   32, 33 Ends-   34 Bottom forming area-   35 Gable forming area-   36 Folding lines-   40 Bottom-   41 Side wall-   42 Edge-   43 Liquid bath-   44 Side wall section-   45 Cell carrier-   46 Drive-   47 Front wall-   48 Liquid-   49 U-shaped section-   50 Device-   51 Transport device-   52 Guide-   53 Cell carrier-   54 Holding element-   55 Rails-   56 Link-   57, 58 Rails-   59 Rollers-   60 Pivot axis-   61 U-shaped section-   70 Device-   71 Transport device-   72 Belt drive-   73 Cell carrier-   74 Belt-   75 Deflection roller-   76 Guide roller

1. A device for filling and/or processing packagings, in particularcomposite cardboard packagings, and/or for processing packagings,preferably comprising composite cardboard packagings, with a spacedelimited at least partially by side walls, in particular for receivinga sterile or aseptic atmosphere, with at least one cell carrier forreceiving at least one packaging and/or package and with at least onetransport device for transporting the packagings and/or packages atleast partially and at least in sections through the space,characterised in that at least one side wall with a lower edge isimmersed in a liquid bath and that the at least one cell carrier isguided beneath the side wall through the liquid bath outwards to thetransport device arranged on the side of the side wall immersed in theliquid bath facing away from the space.
 2. The device according to claim1, characterised in that the liquid bath has a front end and a rear endas seen in the direction of transport, and that, preferably, the liquidbath extends between the front end and the rear end at leastsubstantially in a straight line and/or parallel to the direction oftransport of the cell carrier.
 3. The device according to claim 1,characterised in that the transport device is configured at leastpartially as a linear drive or belt drive and/or that a plurality ofcell carriers connected to one another, in particular exclusively, viathe transport device are provided for transporting the packagings and/orpackages at least partially and at least in sections through the space.4. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the transportdevice is configured for partially immersing the cell carrier inparticular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier into the liquid bathin front of the edge of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath, asseen in the direction of transport of the cell carrier, and/or in thatthe transport device is configured for partially lifting the cellcarrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, out ofthe liquid bath as seen in the direction of transport of the cellcarrier behind the section of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath.5. The device according to claim 4, characterised in that the transportdevice is provided for vertically raising and/or lowering the cellcarrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, forimmersing and/or lifting out the cell carrier, in particular a U-shapedsection of the cell carrier.
 6. The device according to claim 4,characterised in that the transport device is provided for pivoting inand/or pivoting out the cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped sectionof the cell carrier, for immersing and/or lifting out the cell carrier,in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 4, characterised in that the transport device has aguide and/or a link, preferably arranged outside the space, forvertically adjusting and/or pivoting the cell carrier, in particular aU-shaped section of the cell carrier, and in that, preferably, the atleast one cell carrier is spring-loaded against the link and is providedfor sliding and/or rolling on the link.
 8. The device according to claim4, characterised in that the transport device is provided fortransporting the at least one cell carrier immersing the cell carrier,in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, into the liquidbath and/or for lifting the cell carrier, in particular a U-shapedsection of the cell carrier, out of the liquid bath along a clothoid. 9.The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the space is anaseptic chamber, a filling and sealing space, a sterilisation space, anaseptic space and/or a sterile space and/or that the device is a fillingmachine for filling and, preferably, closing the packagings, inparticular cardboard composite packagings, and/or that the liquid bathis a water bath.
 10. A method for filling and/or processing packagings,in particular composite cardboard packagings, and/or for processingpackages, preferably comprising composite cardboard packagings,preferably using a device according to claim 1, in which at least onecell carrier receiving at least one packaging and/or package istransported via at least one transport device at least partially througha space having in particular a sterile or aseptic atmosphere and atleast partially delimited by side walls, in which the at least one cellcarrier is immersed in sections in a liquid bath via the at least onetransport device, in which the immersed section of the one cell carrieris arranged between two sections of the cell carrier arranged outsidethe liquid bath and is transported away via at least one transportdevice beneath an edge of the side wall likewise immersed in the liquidbath and in which the immersed section of the one cell carrier is movedout of the liquid bath after passing the edge of the side wall immersedin the liquid bath.
 11. The method according to claim 10, in which theat least one cell carrier is transported by at least one transportdevice provided outside the space and/or in which the section of the atleast one cell carrier immersed in the liquid bath is immersed at afront end of the liquid bath as seen in the direction of transport andis moved out at a rear end of the liquid bath and/or in which thesection of the at least one cell carrier immersed in the liquid bath ismoved through the liquid bath at least substantially in a straight lineand/or parallel to the direction of transport of the cell carrier. 12.The method according to claim 10, in which the at least one cell carriervia a linear drive or belt drive of the transport device is in sectionsimmersed in the liquid bath, moved through the liquid bath and/or movedout of the liquid bath and/or in which several cell carriers connectedto one another, in particular exclusively, via the transport device aremoved separately from the transport device at least along the liquidbath.
 13. The method according to claim 10, in which the at least onecell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, asseen in the direction of transport of the cell carrier, is immersed inthe liquid bath in front of the edge of the side wall immersed in theliquid bath, in particular is lowered vertically into the liquid bathand/or is pivoted into the liquid bath, and/or in which the at least onecell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, asseen in the direction of transport of the cell carrier, is moved out ofthe liquid bath behind the edge of the side wall immersed in the liquidbath, in particular is raised vertically out of the liquid bath and/orpivoted out of the liquid bath.
 14. The method according to claim 10, isguided on a guide and/or link of the transport device for immersion insections in the liquid bath, for moving away in sections beneath theedge of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath and/or for moving outof the liquid bath in sections, and in which, preferably, the at leastone cell carrier for sliding and/or rolling on the link is setspring-loaded against the link.
 15. The method according to claim 10, inwhich the at least one cell carrier is moved at least in sections alonga clothoid by the transport device for immersion in the liquid bathand/or for movement out of the liquid bath.